Milford Post 59 heading to Legion Regionals with first-round foe

Milford Post 59 assistant coach Brendan Winn remembers sharing a bus ride with Rhode Island state champion Warwick to the Northeast Regional tournament in 2001 when it was held in Bristol, Conn.

Winn was a player on Milford’s Massachusetts state champion team 13 years ago.

A few days later, Winn and Milford faced the team it rode down with and went on to defeat Warwick to claim the Northeast Regional title.

On Wednesday morning, Milford is sharing a bus with this year’s Rhode Island state champion, Pawtucket, to the Northeast Regional in Middletown, Conn. On Thursday morning at 9:30, Post 59 opens the tournament against none other than Pawtucket.

"This is unique to be playing this team in Game One," said Winn. "We’re going to be in close quarters with the enemy."

After claiming its second straight state title by capturing the Final Eight tournament at home on Saturday, Milford (25-9) is now aiming for another regional championship.

Last summer, Post 59 closed the season by winning the Intrastate Tournament in a modified postseason format that lasted just one year.

"This is the old way back again," said Steve DiVitto, Milford’s first-year manager. "I felt last year’s team was well deserving. We don’t make the rules."

Post 59 won the 11th state title in the program’s 85-year history with a 4-2 victory over Newburyport Saturday at Fino Field.

"I couldn’t be happier and more proud of this team," said DiVitto. "This is a resilient group of kids. They were 0-3 and 7-7, but they came to the ballpark ready to play every time. That served them well. Their attitude every single day and level mindset helped them turn the season around.

"This is a good group that supports each other and wants to see each other succeed. It paid off when they hoisted the (state championship) trophy."

Post 59 received some outstanding performances in the Final Eight tournament.

Matt Decina had 14 hits from the leadoff spot in the lineup. Ace pitcher Dan Avery started two games and won both, the opener against Lowell and then the state championship against Newburyport. David Sampson earned a pair of three-inning saves, both against Newburyport. And Dan Mantoni had three hits in the state championship game and won the second game pitching against Greenfield.

DiVitto is counting on more production on the mound and at the plate.

"Coach Winn has a friend from that area who has seen (Pawtucket) play so we have a decent idea what we’re running into," said DiVitto. "Every team now is a state champion and well deserving. I can’t worry about the other team. I’m only concerned about us being the best we can be and giving it our best."

Page 2 of 2 - The other teams competing for the Northeast Regional title are Vermont’s Essex, New Hampshire’s Dover, Maine’s Bangor, and three from Connecticut including state champion Cheshire, host Cromwell, and Rocky Hill. The championship game in the double-elimination tournament is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 11, at William Pomfret Stadium.

"The guys are excited to represent the uniform, the zone (District 4), and the state as well," said DiVitto. "We’re very excited to get back out on the field. We’ll approach this the same way we have all season. It will be baseball on a beautiful diamond down there."

The Northeast Regional champion advances to the American Legion World Series Aug. 14-19 in Shelby, North Carolina, where the national champion will be crowned.

Winn made the all-tournament national team as a second baseman when the American Legion World Series was held in Yakima, Washington, in 2001 and Post 59 finished fifth.

"I can tell you it’s a lot easier to play and less stressful than getting the team ready to play as a coach," said Winn. "But I’m excited for the kids to have this experience. They roll out the red carpet for you. We’re now down to 54 teams in the country. It’s a tribute to this town and the program to be one of them. It’s a great feeling.

"I told them this is something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. They need to enjoy this experience. … I’m very happy and excited for these kids. They played hard and carried themselves the right way. They’re being rewarded for it. This is a lot of fun."

Rick Rendell can be reached at 508-626-3987 or rrendell@wickedlocal.com.